SPORTS BRIEFS

Agencies

CRICKET

Second day washed out

Bad weather washed out the entire second day’s play in the third and final Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, yesterday. The entire field at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was covered as incessant rain since early morning, the heaviest in the region in the past two months, kept the players indoors. Umpires Steve Davis and Simon Taufel waited until 3pm, before they abandoned play for the day when the weather showed no signs of clearing. Light rain has been forecast for the remaining three days. The match is evenly poised after an enthralling opening day on Sunday when Pakistan reduced Sri Lanka to 44-3 after being shot out for 226 in their first innings. The interruption gave Pakistan wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal time to recover from a hairline fracture on his left hand.

SOCCER

Terry appears in court

Chelsea and England defender John Terry arrived in court yesterday for his trial on charges of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match last year. Terry, 31, is accused of a racially aggravated public order offense following the emergence of video footage which appeared to show him abusing the Queens Park Rangers defender, who is mixed race, during a Premier League match in October last year. Terry, who was wearing a gray suit and pink tie, did not speak to reporters as he arrived at the court in central London. A few supporters outside shouted: “Good luck, John.” At an earlier hearing his lawyers entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. If found guilty Terry could be fined up to ￡2,500 (US$3,850), although the damage to the player’s commercial deals would likely be far greater.

SOCCER

Spain’s Iniesta gets married

First Europe’s most important soccer trophy, then a player of the tournament award and now marriage. It was a good week for Spain’s Andres Iniesta. Iniesta, clad in a navy-blue suit, posted a photo on Twitter on Sunday with his new wife Anna Ortiz saying: “Amazing day! Just married.” The 28-year-old midfielder helped Spain become the first nation to defend their continental crown with a 4-0 win over Italy the previous Sunday. Iniesta, who scored the extra-time winner when Spain won their first World Cup two years ago, was named best player at Euro 2012 a day later. Lionel Messi, Iker Casillas, Xavi Hernandez and Samuel Eto’o were among the guests. People lined the streets leading to the wedding in Tamarit, Spain, with Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique tweeting: “This looks like the Tour de France.”

FORMULA ONE

Sauber’s Kobayashi fined

Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi was fined 25,000 euros (US$30,800) after knocking over three of his Sauber mechanics when he drove too fast into the pits at the British Grand Prix on Sunday. Fortunately, the three mechanics suffered only minor injuries, but race stewards took a dim view of the incident in which the men were sent flying. Kobayashi swiftly apologized for the accident. “Of course, I had to push hard for points, but without doubt I braked too late in the pit lane,” Kobayashi said. “The front wheels locked, I couldn’t control the car, and this is how I overshot the pit box. I am terribly sorry this happened and I hope the three mechanics I hit get well soon.” Two of the mechanics needed treatment at the circuit’s medical center, one for an injured thumb, the other for cuts and bruises. The third suffered a bruised foot and was treated in the team’s garage.